Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2007

I believe we’ve already established that I don’t really know that much about wine – just that I like it and enjoy different wines at different times of the year. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a new cooler weather red wine, but recently while enjoying a fine meal at Cafe Capriccio, I was introduced to what I now consider to be my House Red for Winter 2011-12. May I present to you Allegrini’s Palazzo della Torre, 2007?

I know that everyone has their own favorite place to indulge a craving for pasta and other delicious Italian specialities (and have you tried their wood-fired oven pizzas??), but the way this particular wine was offered to me, by my server, Mikey, is an indication of why Capriccio will always be my personal favorite spot in town for Italian food. As I perused the wine list a few weeks ago looking for a bottle in my “regular night out approximately $40 range,” Mikey mentioned this particular offering to me – and at $27 a bottle. Bonus.

As soon as he opened the bottle I was smitten. My first impression was a wonderful smokiness paired with coffee and chocolate, a combination of flavors that always appeals to me. But, there’s more. When I drink red wine I want to taste some fruit – and it was certainly present in my glass. Delicious currants and cherries came next, as this soft, yet full wine, continued to please me. For the sake of further research, I returned to the restaurant this past weekend to drink sample another bottle, and it turned into an impromptu Vinoteca field trip when Bill and Holly joined my companions and I at the bar. (Sorry, Clare and Anna – no worries. I plan to buy a case of this and hope we can share at least a bottle.) I believe the wine was appreciated by all present and the bottle(s) we drank was were wonderfully consistent.

This wine is comprised of three grape; 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese. Approximately 30% of the grapes are dried prior to pressing, a la Amarone Valpolicella style. It is estate made and was rated a 90 by Robert Parker. Locally it is available at Empire for $15.95 a bottle or $191.40 a case. Better get it while it lasts. I’m already regretting sharing this low budget, big tasting wine…